The Harris-Stowe State University baseball team returned to the field this weekend when they hosted Viterbo (Wis.) University for a four-game series. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) allows real games to be played in the fall. The Hornets split the series with the V-Hawks as they lost the first game 2-1, won the second game 15-10, won the third game 5-2, and lost the fourth game 5-3. With the second win in the series, Hornets head coach CJ Bilbrey clinched his 100th win with the program. This puts him at second all-time on the Harris-Stowe wins list.
Junior Dajuan Griffin was the starting pitcher in the first game as he allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out two in 5.0 innings on the mound. Senior Drew Sigman and sophomore Christian Mitchell came in to relieve Griffin as the two combined to allow two hits and one earned run while striking out one in the final 2.0 innings of the game. Davie Pound led the way offensively as he went 2 for 3 with a home run.
Senior Tyler Cox got the start in the second game of the series and allowed four hits and four earned runs while striking out two in 1.1 innings on the mound. Tommy Brenner, Christian Mitchell, Drew Sigman, and Alex Williams came in to relieve Cox as the four combined to allow seven hits and three earned runs while striking out four in the final 5.2 innings of the contest. Davie Pound had another great game in this one as he went 4 for 4 with six runs batted in and a three-run home run. In addition, senior Colton Anderson went 4 for 4 with a two-run home run and Alex Williams went 1 for 4 at the plate with four runs batted in.
Junior Arcentae Stone got the start in the third game for the Hornets and allowed six hits and two earned runs while striking out seven in a complete game. Offensively, Davie Pound went 2 for 3 with a three-run home run, Matt Janocik went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Luke Lampros went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Freshmen Brandon Rivera got the start in the final game of the series as he allowed four hits and two earned runs while striking out one in 1.0 inning. Drew Sigman, Nathan George, Christian Mitchell, and Brian Myers came in to relieve Rivera and the four allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out six in the final 6.0 innings of the contest. Matt Janocik led the way at the plate going 1 for 4 with a two-run home run. In addition, Dede Cole went 1 for 4 with an RBI.
The baseball team will return to the field next weekend when they host Ohio Christian University in a four-game series. The Hornets will play doubleheaders on Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th with both doubleheaders starting at noon. The games will again count in the standing for the 2020 season.